The Feared Possible Self in OCD: Why Fears Feel Random and Ever-Changing

Living with OCD often feels like being pulled in different directions by your own mind. Just when you’ve learned to manage one fear, another one seems to show up. This frustrating cycle is connected to what’s known in inference-based cognitive behavioral therapy (I-CBT) as the feared possible self.

The feared possible self is the version of yourself that OCD tries to convince you that you might become — harmful, irresponsible, reckless, immoral, unsafe, or unloving. The feared possible self is one component that drives the uncertainty, compulsions, doubt, and endless questioning that makes OCD so exhausting.

Let’s explore three common questions many people with OCD ask themselves.

Do you feel like your OCD creates new fears?

One of the most confusing parts of OCD is its ability to generate new fears out of nowhere. 

For example, you might go months worrying about contamination, only for your mind to suddenly switch to fears about morality or responsibility. It’s not about the topic itself; it’s about OCD searching for any possible “what if” scenario that could make you doubt who you are.

Has your OCD symptoms shifted over time?

Yes — and this shifting is very common. OCD can morph across themes: checking, contamination, relationships, health, harm, religion, identity, and more. This “theme-hopping” reflects how the feared possible self evolves. Your brain may say:

• “What if I get sick?”

• “What if I hurt someone?”

• “What if I made the wrong decision?”

Though the fears change, the underlying mechanism remains the same: OCD is trying to "protect" you from becoming the feared version of yourself.

Does it feel like your OCD picks random fears?

It can absolutely feel random, but there’s often a pattern underneath. The fears OCD chooses usually target what you value most. If you deeply value being a safe parent, OCD may focus on harm-related worries. If you value honesty, OCD might attack with doubts about lying or moral failure.

From the outside, the topics may look random, but inside, they are carefully tied to the areas that matter most to you. That’s part of what makes OCD so convincing — it exploits your core values.

Moving Forward

In I-CBT, the goal is not to argue with the feared possible self, but to recognize it for what it is: a mental construct fueled by inferential confusion, not who you are. By learning how OCD builds these feared scenarios and why they feel so urgent, you can start breaking free from the cycle of shifting, “random” fears.

If you find yourself relating to these questions, you’re not alone. OCD is tricky, but with the right approach, you can step out of its trap and move closer to your true values — not the distorted feared self that OCD tries to sell you.

At In Balance 365, I specialize in OCD using Inference-based CBT to help clients face fears and reconnect with their real selves. Reach out today to learn how therapy can support your healing journey.